|| The High Tide || {Sunki}

{ 6 }

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"Take me to your heart, for it is there that I belong."

— Elvis Presley

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[Ages 18 & 19]

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      Sluuuuuurp...

      Sunoo noisily sucked up the last drops of his smoothie as he zoned out, staring at the paper Ni-Ki was writing on. They were sitting at a cafe together while the older worked on... something. To be honest, Sunoo couldn't tell, but it seemed like a list of some kind. He tried asking earlier, but the older had told him to be patient and wait until he had finished. So, for the moment, he nibbled on the straw of his empty smoothie cup.

      "Why haven't you touched your smoothie yet?" Sunoo inquired suddenly, eyeing Ni-Ki's unused straw and full cup. Ni-Ki just glanced at it and shrugged, mumbling something along the lines of him not being hungry. Sunoo frowned and pushed the cup towards him, insisting he drink it. "Please? You know what the doctor said about your appetite," He reminded gently. Ni-Ki sighed in defeat, taking a quick sip before getting back to writing his unknown list.

Ever since their last visit at the hospital during graduation, Ni-Ki's condition has been steadily getting worse. His coughing fits had somewhat stopped, but he was now partially confined to a wheelchair with supplemental oxygen. He'd lost a lot of his muscle mass since he is no longer able to pursue any sports, as well as losing his appetite due to the depression the situation had caused him. The only positives were that he'd successfully quit smoking and that Sunoo had happily filled the role of caretaker for him. Still, the two, along with their families, held out hope that Ni-Ki would return to his previous good health, as unlikely as it seemed right now.

      Ni-Ki sent his pencil down and skimmed over his list one last time before sliding it across the table for Sunoo to see. The younger quickly scanned over the words, furrowing his eyebrows when he didn't understand. When Ni-Ki caught on, he laughed lightly and took it back so he could write 'our summer bucket list' at the top before sending back across the table to Sunoo. "Since we're going to college in the fall, I want to try to do all of these things before," Ni-Ki explained. Sunoo nodded, raising his eyebrows as he looked back down at the paper. "'Theme park', 'camping', 'beach date'..." The younger mumbled as he read some of the entries aloud. His face flushed slightly when he read the last one. "Wait, a beach date? What does that mean?" He asked.

      "What it sounds like," Ni-Ki replied smoothly as he took a second sip of his smoothie. "Why, do you not want to?"

Sunoo quickly shook his head, not sure how to respond to the question. "Yes, I do. Wait, like... no? Ugh, I don't know. That—... it sounds nice," He sighed, palming his forehead at how flustered the older person could make him. Ni-Ki was just so effortlessly charming that Sunoo couldn't help it.

      The two agreed to complete every item listed on the paper, starting with revisiting the botanical garden they had been to previously. Luckily, it was close enough to walk to, so after Ni-Ki had finished his drink, Sunoo took ahold of the wheelchair's handles and rolled him to the nearby park. He only stopped when he realized one thing. "Oh... the way through the garden isn't paved," Sunoo sighed exasperatingly when he saw the pavement stop and turn into a gravel path through the garden.

      After deciding he could walk the short distance, Sunoo helped Ni-Ki stand, the older wrapping his arm around the younger's shoulders as support. Nowadays, he was easily fatigued after even the littlest exercise, so he figured it was easier to go with help whenever possible. He carefully slipped off his oxygen tubing and draped it over the back of his wheelchair. "Fun goes first always~" He singsonged, but his action of removing his breathing machine earned him a scolding from Sunoo.

      "Hey!" Sunoo pinched his side, drawing out a devious giggle from the older clung onto his body. It was one of the most wonderful, heartwarming sounds Sunoo had ever heard; his smile and laughter were incredibly contagious.

      The two slowly made their way along the path, stopping every now and then to examine certain plants and to let Ni-Ki rest. "Just a little further and we can sit down, okay?" Sunoo tried to encourage his tired friend, to which the older nodded and sluggishly stumbled over toward the nearby bench with Sunoo's help. Once his entire weight was moved onto the bench, he started coughing and wordlessly pointed towards the gate where his wheelchair was. Sunoo understood his motion and quickly retrieved O2 tank and helped him situate the nasal cannula over his ears.

      Once he could breathe normally again, Ni-Ki took Sunoo's hand in his own. "Thanks," He mumbled, noticeably sadder, despite trying his hardest to maintain a smile on his face. Rubbing his forehead, he released a sigh filled with sorrow. "I hate this."

      "Me too," Sunoo replied softly.

      The two sat in silence, situated in front of the plants of bleeding hearts. Sunoo wrapped his fingers around the older's hand. "Once you get better, we should go on a vacation," He suggested into the blue, earning a hum of agreement. Ni-Ki raised their joined hands and pressed a lasting kiss to the back of Sunoo's, earning a genuine grin from the older for the first time in a while.

      "Have I ever told you that I love you?" He asked, gazing dreamily into Sunoo's eyes.

      Sunoo hummed, pressing a finger to his chin as he tilted his head and pouted his lips. "Hmm... maybe once or twice," He joked, unable to hide how flustered the question made him. Sunoo sat quiet for a moment before turning in his spot to face the older. "Ni-Ki..." The said boy hummed inquisitively, prompting him to continue speaking. "Do you love me in... like.. a platonic way, or... that way?"

      Now it was Ni-Ki's turn to become shy. He shifted in his spot and averted his gaze away from his friend's, not sure how to confess the fact that his feelings had developed into something more romantic over the last few years. The thought of losing the relationship they already had was terrifying, but it was so hard to keep things strictly platonic when he was whipped head-over-heels for his best friend.

      "It's okay, you don't have to tell me now," Sunoo assured after noticing the lack of an answer, though he really did want to know. Ni-Ki only offered an apologetic smile, knowing that Sunoo definitely wasn't fond of secrets between them. Inside, he swore to tell him eventually.... just now now.

      "Oh, and I love you too," The younger added with a gentle hug and cheek kiss that unknowingly sent both of their hearts racing.

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